When ‘Corpers’ found love

IN Saturday November 17, lovebirds Ikpemhosi Amakhabi and Oluwatosin Olatunji got married at the Love and Peace Garden, Ikotun, Lagos in a very colourful ceremony.

On the same day, they held their engagement.

The event started with prayers and praise and worship songs at the hall which was decorated in pink and silver, the colours of the day.

The alaga, who also served as the compere of the engagement, introduced the parents of the couple. She called for all to observe a minute silence in honour of the bride’s father, who passed on three years ago.

The groom came into the hall in style. It was his day of joy and he stood tall and different from everyone else in the hall.

Adorned in a baby blue lace agbada with matching accessories of a gold chain and a big red bead, depicting his Ishan, Benin roots, he was ushered in by his friends, among who was the popular music producer, ID Cabassa.

Ikpemhosi was made to prostrate before his in-laws, as is the Yoruba tradition; his friends also joined in such gesture.

The alaga interrogated him to what was his mission in the hall. The groom replied that he had come to beg for the hand of the bride in marriage. He was made to ‘settle’ the alaga before being allowed to go. He greeted his ‘new’ and ‘old’ parents before he was allowed to take his seat in their midst.

After this, it was time to usher in the bride. Tosin came in dressed the same matching baby blue iro and buba lace, complete with red accessories and shoes. She greeted her parents and was ushered onto her seat. Tosin was given her beau’s (Ik as he is popularly known as) cap to wear it for him, which she did to the admiration of all.

After this, the audience prayed for them after which the groom lifted his bride and presented her to his parents. They were prayed for again by the audience. The engagement ended with the traditional thank you dance by the groom’s mother and members of her age group.

The reception started immediately with another opening prayer. The couple’s parents were ushered onto the high table with dancing and singing. After which, the couple were accompanied into the venue by their friends. The groom was dressed in a black suit with white shirt and the bride in a long cream dress with a pink rose in her hair. Both looked radiant and splendid.

The toast was given by Chika Okechukwu of Keystone Bank, who told of the ‘beginning of the love story’. She said: “The couple met when they were serving in Lafia, Nasarawa State. IK was the choir leader in church and Tosin was a member of the choir.

“I recall that they both lived in the Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF) hostel. But IK was hardly ever in his room; you would always find him in Tosin’s room. This is the first product of NCCF Lafia and we’re glad we’re all happy to witness it. May God bless your union,” she prayed.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr Oyerinde Gbadebo , admonished the couple to live together in love. He urged them to always resolve their differences without any external influence.

The highlight of the reception was a surprise for the bride by the groom. The groom went on his knees, singing various renditions of romantic songs for the bride. This elicited excitement from the audience, with much shouting and tears from the females in the audience.

Declaring the vote of thanks, IK said: “She is the girl of my dream. I’m glad I made my move when I did. Tosin is the girl for me; she is everything I want in a woman. Words cannot really express how I feel about her. I can’t describe it. In fact, I’m speechless and lost for words.”

The bride said of her man: “He is God sent. You know when God specially creates something and hands it over to you; that is what IK is to me. He completes me; makes me feel special and am glad that am his wife.”